“I have asked Our Lady to keep the Society hidden in the five wounds of Jesus.”(Mutter Teresa von Kalkutta)

In 1946, Mother Teresa received the inspiration to found the Missionaries of Charity in response to Christ’s plea that she makes Him known to the poorest of the poor by her humble service of love. She envisioned a congregation of women and received her first companion in March 1949. The “little Society” of twelve members was officially established on 7 October 1950. The religious branches include the Sisters, followed by the Brothers on 25 March 1963, then the Contemplative Sisterson 25 June 1976, the ContemplativeBrotherson 19 March 1979, and the Fathers on 31 October 1984.

As a religious family the active and contemplative Sisters comprise one congregation, while the Brothers and Fathers are three separate congregations. All share in the charism of Mother Teresa to satiate God’s thirst for love by personal holiness and by working for the salvation and sanctification of the poorest of the poor. For all of the Sisters, Brothers and Fathers, Mother Teresa is “Mother.”

For the laity, Mother Teresa established the co-workers on 29 March, 1969 and the Sick and Suffering co-workers on 13 January 1953.

The Lay Missionaries of Charity were founded on 13 April 1987.

MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY-

FIVE WOUNDS OF JESUS IN ONE BODY JESUS;

The two wounds in the Hands, Sisters & Brothers -

Active Serving with active love the Poor.

The two wounds in the Feet, Sisters and Brothers –

Contemplative Going in search of souls by their Word, prayer & penance.

The Wound in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, The Priests -Satiating the Thirst of Jesus by their Priesthood by completing the work of the Sisters & Brothers of the Poor they serve. Even when Mother leaves you, Jesus’ thirst will never leave you. Jesus thirsting in the poor you will have with you always.

I want the Active Sisters and Brothers, the Contemplative Sisters and Brothers, and the Fathers to each one aid the other in satiating Jesus with their own special gift supporting, completing each other and this precious Grace as one Family, with one Aim and purpose. Do not exclude the Co-Workers and Lay MCs from this this is their call as well, help them to know it. (Mutter Teresa von Kalkutta)